24/7 mental health crisis care
Pat Buckley asked when the promised 24/7 mental health crisis service would be rolled out. The Minister of State said 7-7 services were the first step toward 24/7 care and pointed to major recent budget growth and progress.
The programme for Government, under the heading Ensuring Support in Crisis, states: "For those vulnerable to suicidal behaviour, the HSE Mental Health Directorate should provide a co-ordinated, uniform, quality assured and safe 24/7 service and deliver pathways of care from primary to secondary mental health services for all those in need of specialist mental health services." When will this be rolled out?
Comment on this
I presume the Deputy is referring to 7-7 care.
Comment on this
The 7-7 is the first step on the route to 24-7. There has been very significant progress in the past 12 months, as the Deputy is aware. Since the programme for Government commitment was made, the budget has literally ballooned and has gone from €700 million five years ago to well in excess of €1 billion. Part of that is the rolling out of 7-7 care and then 24-7 care, on which there has been significant progress.